Sanitary sipping-straw dispenser



L. A. WILLS SANITARY SIPPING-STRAW DISPENSER Jan. 5, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 7, 1962 IN VENTOR Jan. 5, 1965 L. A. WILLS 3,164,297

SANITARY SIPPING-STRAW DISPENSER Filed Feb. 7, 1962 3 Sheets-sheet 2 1N VENTOR Jan. 5, 1965 A. WILLS 3,164,297

SANITARY SIPPING-STRAW DISPENSER Filed Feb. 7, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR W Jaw/71441.

United States Patent 3,164,297 SANITARY SIPEENGSTRAW DESPENEER Leonard Atlee Wills, P16. Box 7354, Benjamin Franklin Station, Washington, DE. Filed Feb. 7, W52, Ser. No. 171,618 4 Claims. (Cl. 221 202) This invention relates to straw dispensers, and more particularly to straw dispensers of the type having verticflly reciprocable ejector means and wherein a straw supporting cup is employed and is mounted so that it can be shaken, oscillated or jarred to facilitate the proper positioning of the straws for delivery.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved sanitary sipping-straw storing and dispensing device which is inexpensive to fabricate, which is durable in construction, which safely supports and positions straws therein in proper positions for ejection, and which includes improved ejector and actuating means which operate smoothly, effectively, and handily, and are sturdy, durable, and maintain proper alignment against wear.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved sanitary sipping-straw dispenser which is relatively simple in construction, which is easy to assemble, and which efficiently positions the straws therein so that they will be safe.y and positively dispensed responsive to actuation of the straw dispensing mechanism of the device.

A still funther object of the invention is to provide an improved sipping straw dispenser where the dispenser elements performing the functions of straw agitation, positioning, feeding, engagement, ejection, and ejector guidance, alignment, control, and actuation are uniquely arranged and combined to provide a dispenser that is compact in size, neat in appearance, elfectively protected against contamination, durable, and wmch is easy to clean, replenish, and operate.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a central longitudinal vertical section, taken on line lil of FIGURE 2, of an improved sipping straw dispenser constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is an outline view of the improved sippingstraw dispenser.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a supporting frame, ejector return spring, shock absorber spring, and spring guide rod, with each shown in separatepositions.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of an ejector actuating member and an impact bloc}: in separate positions.

FlGURE 5 is a perspective view of an ejector bar, with a portion of the ejector bar cut away.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a supporting frame bracket.

FIGURE 7 is a central longitudinal vertical section, taken on line 7-7 of FIGURE 8, of a modified form of an improved sipping-straw dispenser according to the present invention.

FIGURE 8 is an outline view of the modified form of improved sipping-straw dispenser.

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of a supporting frame for the modified form of improved sipping-straw dispenser.

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a straw ejector bar for the modified form of improved sipping-straw dispenser.

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of an ejector return spring, a spring guide rod, and a shock absorber spring, in assembled positions, for the modified form of improved sipping-straw dispenser. (Fragmentary portions of adjacent supporting structures are also shown.)

FiGURE 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of a straw supporting cup for the modified form of improved sipping-straw dispenser.

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of a further modified form oi a straw ejector mechanism, with a major portion of t e support-frame cut away.

FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of a still further modified form or" a straw ejector mechanism, with a major portion of the supporting frame cut away.

A detailed description is given so that the construction, operation, and features of the invention may be clearly understood:

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGURES l and 2, a sipping straw dispenser is designated of the type where straws stand on end in a straw receptacle and a straw dispensing mechanism is employed to dispense straws into a straw discharge opening in the receptacle cover lid, for example, of the general type disclosed in US. Patent No. Re. 24,950 to Leonard A. Wills.

A cylindrical glass, plastic, or metal jar 1 of proper size and shap is employed for the low-er portion of the straw receptacle. The upper portion of the straw receptacle is formed by top 2 which is essentially cylindrical and removably attached to jar l at 46 by a threaded joint. Top 2 is provided with a cover lid 3 which is generally upwardly funnel shaped and hinged to top 2 at 3%. Cover lid 3 is provided with a straw discharge opening at 39 normally receiving the closure member 33 which is mounted on a lever 35 pivoted to the cover lid at 34. An opening is formed in top 2 at 44 to receive the vertical side portion 25 of supporting frame 4, and a slot is formed at 5% in the member 2 to permit reciprocation of arm 16 of ejector actuating member 6.

Designated at 4 is a supporting frame (individual view is shown in FEGURE 3) of tubular bar material or the like, and comprising a straight vertical side portion 25, a horizontal bottom portion 26, and an inclined end-portion 27. Said vertical side portion 25 extends through top 2 at 44,. i

A straw supporting cup 7 is rotatable about a transverse horizontal axis located opposite the vertical straight portion 25. Cup? is formed with a downwardly convergent bottom Wall 192 which also slopes downwardly toward the side of the cup adjacent vertical side portion 25, the vertex 61 of the cu being located adjacent said side portion 25 and beng formed with a narrow slot 61 of sufficient length to underlie the bottom end of the innermost of a pluralityof inclined sipping straws s disposed on the cup, as shown. An'arm it is secured to the inclined bottom of mp7 and is formed with a depedir; leg 163 having an essentially horizontal foot portion E64 vhich is movably received in the horizontal bottom portion 26 of supporting frame 4. A leaf spring It? is secured at one end to the inclined portionZ'Z of supporting frame 4. The other end of leaf spring id is engageable with the horizontal foot portion of arm lit whereby the cup "7- is resiliently supported.

A resilient support 51 or" hardened rubber material or the like underlies the horizontal bottom portion 26 of supporting frame l and supports said frame on the inside bottom of jar ll. The supporting frame and straw supporting cup configurations and arrangements are similar to those disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 109,077, filed May 10, 1961, and entitled Sipping Straw Dispensers, now issued as US. Patent No. 3,113,697.

A11 ejector bar 5, of essentially right-angle cross section (individual view is shown in FEGURE 5 is slidably and non-rotatively contained in the vertical. side portion 25 of supporting frame 4. A set of guide lugs 48 and 28 on one 3 vertical edge of ejector bar 5 and another set or guide lugs 49 and 29 on the other vertical edge of ejector bar 5 are slidably engaged in vertical alignment grooves 52 and 53, respectively, of supporting frame 4. Straw engagement pins 30 and 31 are formed from the material of ejector bar 5 and remain integrally attached thereto, and are positioned in vertical registry with slot 61 in cup '7, said pin elements being movable upwardly successively through said slot responsive to the elevation of ejector bar 5, whereby to engage in the bottom ends of straws 8, as will be presently described. The lower end 32 of ejector bar 5 overlies the foot portion of arm 11 and is engageable therewith to deliver an impact thereto when the ejector bar 5 descends, whereby to deliver an impact tending to rotate the cup 7 clockwise around the pivot 9. Clockwise rotation of cup '7 is restricted by the foot portion 194 of arm 11 impacting against the inside lower surface of horizontal bottom portion 26, whereby a beneficial impact is delivered :to straw positioning cup 7. A

horizontal tab 56 is formed at the top end of ejector bar 5, and hole 50 is formed therein. A spring guide rod 12 is contained vertically within the vertical side portion 25 and is connected to the top of vertical side portion 25 at hole 15 and to the horizontal bottom portion 26 at 45. Tab 56 is slidable on spring guide rod 12. A helical compression ejector return spring 14 is mounted on spring guide rod 12 and bears against the lower surface of the horizontal bottom member 26 at i5 and against tab 56 at 5%, biasing the ejector bar 5 in the upward direction. Views of the spring guide rod 12 and the ejector return spring 14 are shown in separate positions in FIGURE 3.

An ejector actuating member 6 (individual view is shown in FIGURE 4) is slidably and non-rotatively mounted in vertical side portion 2 5 with an arm 16 extending from said ejector actuating member through a vertical slot 55 of the vertical side portion of supporting frame 4. Slot 55 permits vertical reciprocation of arm 16. A flange 58.0n ejector bar 5 helps cover the area of slot 55 when the ejector bar is in the upward position, thereby helping prevent the entrance of contaminating dust. Alt the end of arm 16 is attached a disc shaped finger press button 21. Guide lugs 22 and 23 are slidably engaged in vertical grooves 52 and 53, respectively of vertical side portion 25. The ejector actuating member 6 is positioned immediately above ejector bar 5 and is slidable on spring guide rod 12 at holes 17 and 57. An

present in delivery opening 39. Locking lever 36 is pivotally mounted to vertical side portion 25 by ears ii and 4-2 and overlies the end of arm 35. Said locking lever 36 is formed opposite arm with a detent portion 4G lockingly engageable with rectangularhole l t by entering the interior of vertical side portion 25 through rectangular opening 43. As viewed in FIGURE 1, arm 35 tends to rotate counter-clockwise and lever 36 tends to rotate clockwise because of gravitational pull, as they are not pivotally mounted through their centers of gravity. Arm 35 with closure member 33 mounted thereon forms a heavier member than lever 36. Therefore, counter-clockwise rotation of arm 35 and closure member 33, because of gravity, force's lever 36 to rotate clockwise. Clockwise rotation of'arm 35 by a straw pushing upward against closure member 33 releases lever 36 for counter-clockwise rotation. When the upper hook edge of detent portion 49 engages in rectangular hole 24, further downward movement of ejector actuating member 6 is prevented; and the locking action continues until there is no longer a straw present in discharge opening 39, whereupon arm 35 rotates lever 36 clockwise to its release position. When. ejector bar 5, ejector actuating member 6, impact block 9, and shock absorber spring 13 are being elevated from their lower positions, and a straw is delivered in the straw discharge opening 39, the bottom edge of detent 40 of lever 3'1 will engage with the top surface of impact block 19 and further upward movement of pieces l9, l3, 6, and 5 will be prevented. This means that a straw being lifted on the upper engagement pin 30 will be delivered into opening but a straw on the lower engagement pin 31 will be stopped before its top end reaches the straw discharge opening 3: If a straw is not present on pin 30, a straw on pin 31 will be permitted to be delivered into straw discharge opening 39. This locking structure is similar to that disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 63,669, filed October 19, 1960, and entitled Ejector Control Mechanisms for Straw Dispensers now issued as US. Patent No. 3,095,118.

When the finger press button 21 is pressed downwardly, ejector actuating member 6, ejector bar 5, and also shock absorber spring 13 and impact block 19 move downwardly. Ejector return spring 14 is compressed between tab 56 of ejector bar 5 and the horizontal bottom portion 26. The bottom end 32 of ejector bar 5 impacts against the horizontal foot portion of arm it and the positioning cup 7 shaken. Upon release of finger press button 21, pieces 5, 6, l3, and 19 move upwardly by the force of compression ejector return spring 14, If locking lever 36 is rotated counterclockwise, impact block 19 will strike against the bottom side of detent 40 of locking lever 36, and the momentum of the ejector actuating member 6 and ejector bar 5 will be largely absorbed by the shock absorber spring 13, greatly reducing wear because of greatly reduced impact. If locking lever 36 is rotated clockwise, impact block 19 will strike against the inside top end of the vertical side portion 25 of supporting frame 4, whereby the momentum of the ejector actuating member 6 and ejector bar 5 will be largely absorbed by the shock absorber spring 13, greatly reducing wear because of greatly reduced impact. Ejector return spring 14 continues to press upwardly and helps to quickly damp out oscillation in the mechanism. Ejector return spring 14 is designed to impart a slow return rate to the ejector, and is made no stronger than is necessary to adequately perform its function. During operation, actuating member 6 can be expected to experience forces tending to rotate the member; but these forces will not be transmitted to ejector bar 5 as it is a separate piece.

Supporting frame bracket 57 (individual View is shown in FIGURE 6), fabricated of sheet metal, holds the supporting frame 4 against the interior side wall of top 2 for support, while aligning slot 55 of vertical side portion 25 with the slot 54 in top 2. The supporting frame 4 can be moved vertically through the bracket 4'7, if necessary. for adjustment to allow for manufacturing tolerances in the lengths of jar 1, top 2, and supporting frame 4. Tabs 59 and 60 of bracket 47 prevent the top portions of straws from leaning around the vertical side portion 25, helping insure that straws will assume inclined positions toward the opposite wall of the receptacle.

Referring now to FIGURES 7 and 8, the straw receptacle is comprised of jar 1 and top 2' removably attached together at 46' by a threaded joint. Top 2 is provided with a cover lid 3 which is generally upwardly funnel shaped and hinged to top 2 at 33'. Cover lid 3' is provided with a straw discharge opening at 39' normally receiving the closure member 33 which is mounted on a lever 35 pivoted to the cover lid 3 by pivot pin 3 t. An opening is formed in top 2' at 44' to permit a portion of vertical side portion 25' of supporting frame 4' to extend therethrough.

Designated at 4 is a supporting frame (an individual view is shown in FIGURE 9), of channel-shaped bar material, or the like, and comprising a straight vertical or shaken and rotated clockwise.

side portion 25', a horizontal bottom portion 26' and an inclined end portion 27'.

A straw supporting cup '7" is rotatable about a transverse horizontal axis 9 located opposite the vertical side portion 25'. Cup 7 is formed with a downwardly convergent bottom wall 192' which also slopes downwardly toward the side of the cup adjacent member 25, the vertex 61' of the cup being located adjacent said vertical side portion 25' and being formed with a narrow slot 61' of sufficient length to underlie the bottom ends of the innermost of a plurality of inclined sipping straws 8 disposed on the cup, as shown. The cup 7' is notched out at M5 at its periphery opposite inclined portion 27' to receive the vertical side portion 25' and to allow free pivoting of the cup 7' at 9'. Cup 7 is formed with a set of spaced lugs 62 and 63 (shown in FIGURE 12) which are received in respective rectangular notches 6d and 65 formed in the inturned flanges res and 197 of member 25, said notches being of suthcient height to allow limited free pivoting of cup 7'. Spring id is mounted on a pivot pin at 9 and said spring biases cup 7 in a count r-clockwise direction, as viewed in FiGURE 1, such that lugs 62 and 63 normally rest against the upper edges of notches 64 and 65. Lugs 62 and 65 are parallel to each other and spaced in alignment with slot 61 of supporting cup 7, to permit free vertical movement of the lower portion 66 of ejector bar 5' between said lugs 62. and 63 and through slot 61'. Shoulders 67 and 68 are provided on ejector bar 5' engageable with lugs 62. and 63 to deliver an impact thereto when the ejector member 5 is lowered to its bottom position. This impact causes cup '2" to be jarred A second impact is developed when lugs 62 and 63 strike against the bottom edges of said notches 64 and 65. A third impact is developed when the ejector member 5' moves upward allowing spring 10' to rotate cup 7' counter-clockwise so that lugs 62 and 63 strike the upper edges of notches 6 5 and 65. As stated previously osciliating or shaking the straw supporting cup 7' provides agitation for the straws supported thereon, facilitating movement of the straws to the slotted aperture 61' for engagement by the ejector pins and subsequent delivery into the straw discharge opening in the cover lid. Lugs 62 and 63 serve a secondary function of facilitating alignment of slot 61 with engagement pins 36? and 31 on portion 66 of ejector bar 5.

A resilient support 51' of hardened rubber or like underlies the horizontal bottom portion 236 of supporting frame 4' and supports said frame on the inside bottom of jar 1. The supporting frame and straw positioning cup structures are similar to those disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 109,077, filed May 10, 196i, and entitled Sipping Straw Dispensers, now Patent No. 3,113,697.

An ejector bar 5 (individual view is shown in PEG- URE 10) is slidably and non-rotatively contained in the vertical side portion 25'. A set of guide lugs 4&3 and 2.3 on one vertical edge of ejector bar 5' and the other set of guide lugs 49 and 29 on the other vertical edge of ejector bar 5 are slidably engaged in vertical alignment grooves 52' and 53', respectively, of vertical side portion 25' of supporting frame 4-. Straw engagement pins 39 and 31 are formed on ejector bar 5 and are positioned in vertical registry with slot 61 in cup '7', said pin elements being movable upwardly successively through said slot responsive to the elevation of ejector bar 5, whereby to engage in the bottom ends of straws. A horizontal tab 56 is attached to ejector bar 5.

A spring guide rod 12 is contained vertically within the vertical side portion 25, and is connected to the vertical side portion 25 at tab 6% and to the horizontal bottom portion 26' at 45'. Tab 56 through hole 55) is slidable on spring guide rod 12'. A compression ejector return spring 1.4 is mounted on spring guide rod 12' and bears against the horizontal bottom portion 26' at 45 i be compressed between tab 56' and against tab 56 at Sit, biasing the ejector bar 5 in the upward direction. A perspective view of the ejector return spring 14' assembled with the spring guide rod 12' is shown in FlGURE 11. The upper segment 2. of the straw receptacle has an inwardly offset vertical side wall portion. The ejector bar 5' extends through an opening in said upper segment located subjacent said inwardly offset side wall portion, so that the upper portion of ejector bar 5' is located externally adjacent to said inwardly offset wall portion and is movable vertically for actuating the ejector.

An arm 16 extends from the top end of ejector bar 5, with a disc shaped finger press button 21 attached at its end. A portion of the vertical side portion 25' is cut away to allow for vertical reciprocating movement of said arm 16. Relative movement between member 16 (which is a part of and extends from the top end of ejector bar 5) and member 25' can take place because ejector bar 5' is slidably and non-rotatively contained in the vertical side portion 25, as described above. A helical compression shock absorber spring 13 is'mounted on spring guide rod 112 between tab 56' on ejector bar 5' and tab 6% on vertical side portion 25. Another shock absorber element is provided by yieldably mounted shock absorber pin 71 in hole '72 at the top end of ejector bar 5'. A helical compression spring "it? is mounted on pin 71 biasing it upwardly. Notch 73 formed in ejector bar 5 and the head of pin '71 cooperate with locking lever 36' and arm so to prevent ejection of further straws when one or more straws are present in delivery opening 39. Looking lever 36' is pivotally mounted to vertical side portion 25 by ears 41 and 42' and overlies the end of arm 35'. Said locking lever 36 is formed opposite arm 35 with a detent portion 46 lockingly engageable with notch 73 when lever 36 is released by the rotation of arm 35 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 1. When the upper hook edge of detent 4d engages notch '73, further downward movement of ejector bar 5' is prevented; and the locking action continues until their is no longer a straw present in discharge opening 39, whereupon arm 35 rotates lever 36 clockwise to its release position. When ejector bar 5" is being elevated from its lower position and a straw is delivered into the straw discharge opening 39'; the bottom surface of detent of locking lever 36' will engage with the head of impact pin 71, and further upward movement will be prevented. This means that a straw being lifted on the upper engagemerit pin 3% will be delivered intodischarge opening 3% but a straw. on the lower engagement pin 31' will be stopped before its top end reaches the straw discharge opening 3%. If a straw is not present on pin 30', a straw on pin 31' will be permitted to be delivered into the straw discharge opening 39. This locking structure is similar to that disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 63,669, filed October 19, 1960 (now Patent N 0. 3,095,118), and entitled Ejector Control Mechanisms for Straw Disepensers.

When the finger press button 21 is pressed downwardly,

the ejector bar 5 moves downwardly compressing ejector return spring 14 between tab 56' and the horizontal bottom portion 26. The shoulders 67 and 68 of ejector bar '5 impact against lugs 62 and 63 whereby positioning cup '7 is shaken. Upon release of finger press button-21, the ejector bar 5' moves upwardly by the force of compression ejector return springld. if locking lever 36' is rotated counter clockwise, impact pin '71 will strike against the bottom surface of detent 4t), and the momentum of the ejector bar will be largely absorbed by the shock absorber spring 70. If the locking lever 36 is rotated clockwise, the shock absorber spring 13' will on ejector bar 5' and tab 69 on vertical side portion 25'. e

A support clamp 47' clamps the vertical side portion 25 to the outside wall of top 2', for additional support,

. collar 77 and the horizontal bottom portion 26". release of finger press button 21", pieces l3", and 19' a move upwardly by the force of compression ejector return by extending through two small slots in top 2, one slot located on each side of the vertical side portion 25'. Protection against contamination such as dust is improved by the structural arrangement of the upper part of vertical side portion 25 extending outside of the straw receptacle at 44' as shown.

Referring now to FIGURE 13, 4 designates a supporting frame, of tubular shaped bar material or the like, and comprising a straight vertical side portion 25", a horizontal bottom portion 26", and an inclined end portion 27". The central portion of vertical side portion 25" is cut away to exhibit the mechanism assembled therein. A portion of the inclined end portion 27" is omitted. Two ejector guide rods '73 and 74 are contained within vertical side portion 25", being positioned vertically therein and spaced parallel to each other. Guide rod 73 is connected at its top end to vertical side portion 25" at 89 and at its bottom end to the horizontal bottom portion26". Guide rod 74 is connected at its top end to vertical side portion 25" at 81 and at its bottom end to the horizontal bottom portion 26".

An ejector bar 5" of flat plate material is slidably and non-rotatably mounted on guide rods 73 and 74 within vertical side portion 25''. Collars 78 and 79 slidably fastens said ejector bar 5" to guide rod 73, and collar 77 slidably fastens said ejector bar to guide rod 74. Straw engagement pins 30" and 31 are formed on ejector bar 5" and are positioned and adapted for vertical registry with a slot in a straw supporting cup such as shown in FIGURE 1, whereby said pins may move upwardly successively through said slot responsive to elevation of ejector bar 5" whereby to engage in the bottom ends of straws. The bottom edge 32' of ejector bar 5" is adapted to deliver an impact to a shaking member such as arm 11 shown in FIGURE 1. An arm 16 extends from the top end of ejector bar 5", at the end of which is attached a disc shaped finger press button 21". The vertical side portion is slotted to allow for vertical reciprocating movement of said arm 16". The opposite side of vertical side portion 25" is slotted to allow for reciprocating movement of pins 30" and 31".

A helical compression ejector return spring 1 is mounted on guide rod 74 and bears against the horizontal bottom portion 26" at its bottom end and against collar 77 at its top end, biasing the ejector bar 5" in the upward direction. An impact block 19 of hardened material is slidably and non-rotatable mounted on the upper portions of guide rods 73 and '74 within vertical side portion 25". A shock absorber helical compression spring 13" is slidably mounted on guide rod 74 between impact block 19 and collar 77 on ejector bar 5". The bottom side 75 of collar 78 and the top side 76 of impact block 19 are adapted to cooperate with a locking lever such as lever 36 shown in FIGURE 1 to prevent ejection of further straws when one or more straws are present in the straw receptacle discharge opening; When the finger press button 21" is pressed downwardly, ejector bar 5", shock absorber spring 13", and impact block 19' move downwardly. Ejector return spring 14" is compressed between Upon spring ld". If a locking lever such as 36 shown in FIG- URE 1 engages the edge 7670f impact block 19, the momentum of ejector bar 5" will be largely absorbed by the shock absorber spring 13'', greatly reducing wear because of greatly reduced impact. If impact block 19' is not engaged by a locking lever, impact block 19 will strike against the inside top end of the vertical side portion 25" whereby the momentum of ejector bar d" will be largely absorbed by the shock absorber spring 13", greatly reducing Wear because of greatly reduced impact. If ejector bar 5" is in its initial upward position and a looking member such as 36 shown in FIGURE 1 is rotated counter clockwise (which happens when a straw is present 27'. A major central portion of said vertical side portion Ed is cut away to exhibit the mechanism assembled therein.

Two ejector guide rods and 86 are contained within the lower portion of vertical side portion 25", being positioned vertically therein and spaced parallel to each other. The top end of guide rod 85 is connected to support plate 89 at 87 and at its bottom end to horizontal portion 26. The top end of guide rod 86 is connected to support plate S9 at 88 and at its bottom end to horizontal portion 26". An ejector bar 5' is slidably and non-rotatably mounted within vertical side portion 25', being attached to guide block 82 which is slidable on guide rods 35 and 85 at 83 and 84 respectively. A prong 9? extends from the upper end of ejector bar 5" with a portion of prong 9i slidably engaged in slot 98 formed in the sidewall of tube ti. Straw engagement pins 30' and 32" are formed on ejector bar 5 and are positioned and adapted for vertical registry with a slot in a straw supporting cup such as shown in FIGURE 1, said pin elements being movable upwardly successively through such a slot responsive to the elevation of ejector bar 5', whereby to engage in the bottom ends of straws. The bottom edge 32 of ejector bar 5' is adapted to deliver an impact to a shaking member such as arm 11 shown in FIGURE 1.

A U-shaped tube 99 is mounted within the upper portion of vertical side portion 25" above support plate 89. An actuating guide rod 92 is contained within vertical side portion 25" and between the two vertical legs of tube 94 with the top end of said rod connected to the top end of vertical side portion 25' at 93 and the bottom end of said rod connected to tab 95 which is formed in the vertical side portion 25". An actuating collar 96 is slidably mounted on actuating gmide rod 92 with an arm 16" extending therefrom with a disc shaped finger press button 21"" attached at end thereof. Vertical side portion 25" is slotted to allow for reciprocating vertical movement of arm 16". A small prong 97 extends horizontally from actuating collar 96, being substantially perpendicular to arm 16'. Prong 97 extends into the interior of tube )0 through slot 91 which allows for vertical reciprocating movement of prong 97. A suflicient number of identical metal spherical balls 94, as shown, are contained within tube 90, the interior of said tube being a race for said spherical balls, to completely occupy the space within said tube between prong 97 on collar 96 at its upward initial position and prong 99 on ejector bar 5' at its initial downward position, the diameter of each spherical ball being slightly less than the inside diameter of said tube 90.

When finger press button 21 is presed downwardly, prong 97 pushes downwardly against the spherical ball underneath it, and that spherical ball simultaneously pushes against the spherical ball beneath it, and so on, until the last spherical ball in the chain pushes upward against prong 99, which elevates ejector bar 5'. When finger press button 21'' is released, the ejector bar 5", with attached guide block 82, will fall downwardly, their combined weights being sufiiciently greater than the combined weights of the metal spherical balls, and collar 96 with attached arm 16', button 21', and prong 97, which are lifted.

The bottom surface 19-9 of collar 96 and the upper surface it of prong 5 9' are adapted to cooperate with a locking lever such as lever 36 shown in FIGURE 1 to 9 prevent ejection of further straws when one or more straws are present in the straw receptacle discharge openmg.

While certain specific embodiments of sip-ping straw dispensers have been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitation be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A straw dispenser comprising a straw receptacle, a substantially long vertical frame bar having a portion thereof positioned in said receptacle, a straw supporting cup mounted on said frame bar, said cup being formed with a narrow slot adjacent said frame bar, an ejector bar slidably mounted on said frame bar, spring means to move said ejector bar upwardly, guide means on said frame bar for said ejector bar, further guide means Within the frame bar for said spring means, and straw-engaging pin means on said ejector bar, said pin means being movable vertically through said slot, a sizable portion of said frame bar being located essentially exterior to the side wall of the upper portion of the straw receptacle.

2. The straw dispenser of claim 1, and wherein said straw supporting cup is pivotally mounted on said frame bar.

3. The straw dispenser of claim 1, and wherein said straw supporting cup is movably mounted on said frame bar, and wherein said cup is provided with a depending foot element engageable by a portion of said ejector bar when the ejector bar is moved downwardly, whereby to shake the straw supporting cup.

4. The straw dispenser of claim 1, and spring means positioned above and movable with said ejector bar and being adapted to absorb impact shock when said ejector bar is moved upwardly by the force of said first-named spring means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNETED STATES PATENTS 24,950 3/61 Wills 222-192 484,253 10/92 Sermer 221-192 1,034,318 7/12 Sobretto et a1 221-192 1,056,330 3/13 Griel 221-254 1,211,139 1/17 Griel et al 221-254 1,276,338 8/ 18 Eisenhardt 221-254 1,588,386 6/26 Young 221-254 1,589,891 6/26 Massoni et a1. 221-254 1,959,957 5/34 Kaparin et al. 221-200 2,074,674 3/37 Sadjian 221-254 2,251,489 8/41 Koziel 221-200 RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner.

LOUIS I. DEMBO, Examiner. 

1. A STRAW DISPENSER COMPRISING A STRAW RECEPTACLE, A SUBSTANTIALLY LONG VERTICAL FRAME BAR HAVING A PORTION THEREOF POSITONED IN SAID RECEPTACLE, A STRAW SUPPORTING CUP MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME BAR, SAID CUP BEING FORMED WITH A NARROW SLOT ADJACENT SAID FRAME BAR, AN EJECTOR BAR SLIDABLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME BAR, SPRING MEANS TO MOVE SAID EJECTOR BAR UPWARDLY, GUIDE MEANS ON SAID FRAME BAR FOR SAID EJECTOR BAR, GUIDE MEANS WITHIN THE FRAME BAR FOR SAID SPRING MEANS, AND STRAW-ENGAGING PIN MEANS ON SAID EJECTOR BAR, SAID PIN MEANS BEING MOVABLE VERTICALLY THROUGH SAID SLOT, A SIZABLE PORTION OF SAID FRAME BAR BEING LOCATED ESSENTIALLY EXTERIOR TO THE SAID WALL OF THE UPPER PORTION OF THE STRAW RECEPTACLE. 